Piecing Scraps

Practicing sewing curves for Curves Class.   

 It just feels all wrong, and yet it does work.  I knew I kept so many scraps for a reason!

I made a couple of little note cards while I was going, I don't see myself wanting to make many of these, but it is a good small project to get you started on the curvy path of knowledge ready for the bigger projects to come.

Even More Bunting...

...Because the two sets I have made already just were not enough, I decided to make some for a good friends little girls too.  

Twice

I did say in my last post I would make another Clamshell Pillow. I didn't waste any time on this, I jumped right in and made half of it last night while watching the tennis and then quickly finished it off this morning.

This is the same weight linen in a different colour, I didn't have enough of any one colour to make them the same but I decided this would not matter.  I clamshells are the same fabric range in both pillows.

Both this zip and the last one were in the stash too.  I probably should have held off making this until I bought a better colour match but I get impatient to finish when I get close to the end so I decided that this would be ok...

They do look good together, not too matchy-matchy but a good pair.

I think this will conclude my run of sewing for a week.  I have an assignment due, two exams and a quiz for uni and I need to start thinking about those.  Nothing like sewing as a form of procrastination but at some point the work must get done.

Clamshell Pillow

More Curves Class project goodness today, this time in the form of the clamshell pillow project.

I love this pillow so much I think I will make another one over the weekend using the same feature fabrics on a different shade of linen.

Sewing the curves was not too bad, I was annoyed that my last row of clamshells sat a little low and the stitching didn't catch the ones above.  I didn't notice this until after the pillow puffed it all out so I ended up topstitching the bottoms of the offending section to stabilise it.  I will know better on the next one.

I was pretty happy with the zipper too. 

There are plenty of other Curves and Handstitched projects popping up in the group photo pool, it is well worth a look.

iPad Cover

Yesterday I was reading blogs (as usual) and I saw that Jen had made an iPad cover.  I could not see the photos in Jen's post so I jumped over to the tutorial link and then decided to make myself one.  

Inspiration found! Thanks Jen.

I used some Alexander Henry 'Its a Hoot' fabric I had stashed.  This is one of my favourite fabrics so I am glad I got to use it for something that I get to use.

You may notice the use of both velcro and elastic.  I went with the velcro option but I was not happy with it when I was done.  I unpicked a few stitches, slipped in the elastic and topstitched after the fact which is not as neat but I am much happier with it as a fastener.  Sewing on the button after it was assembled was not that fun either.

Dotty fabric from my stash for the lining. 

Snug as a bug.  Even with the apple case on the iPad is a good fit using the dimensions given in the tutorial.  I like the fact that the earphone jack is accessible even when the iPad is secure in the case. 

I quilted more densely than was really needed but I like it.  This case has a good weight about it and I feel a lot more happy having my iPad bounce around in my handbag now that is has some extra protection.  I think if I didn't have a walking foot on my machine I would have had too much trouble sewing the layers together but that is my only caution for this project, I recommend it.

Bunting

After having so much fun with the Stitched in Color Handstitched class last year I decided to sign up for the Curves class this year.  No, I have not actually finished my Handstitched quilt, but that is beside the point!

I am on a self imposed budget this year so am trying to use as much stash fabric as I can; so far so good.

I made a set in red and green for Possum's room.  Her favourite colour is red.  I didn't have any bias tape so I made some out of some light blue poplin I had here.  She is pretty impressed with my efforts, so am I.

 

Blue got a set in green and blue.  I made enough light blue bias tape to do both sets.  

I do like the fact that they both have green as a feature, and that they both use Denyse Schmidt fabric from the stash.  I also like that I finally used the bias tape maker I bought long ago for the first time on this project; so much more fun to use your gadgets! 

Given we only just painted their rooms over the Christmas holiday period this has been a nice way  to decorate given the neutral paint palette we chose. 

Cute Capelet

I saw a cute capelet last year and thought it would be handy to wear over my summer dresses last October while I was at work for a month. I finished sewing it today so obviously I did not wear it at work, I had to make do with my button cardigans instead.  Oh well!

This is a Retro Butterick pattern B5032.  It was really quick and easy to sew which helps as I am not the most patient person when it comes to sewing clothes.

This is for me, and it does fit but I thought it would be easier to ask for a stand in model to let me take the photos.  I chose to top stitch right around the edges which was not in the pattern but does help it sit more neatly.  I lined it in some Denyse Schmidt fabric which I already had in my stash, but did not think to take a photo of that part. 

I think I will get to wear this a bit this year as I have six months casual work starting this term.  We are enjoying the last of our holidays before Possum and I start school; her fist year in Kindergarten and myself for work, both together!

A Borrowed Idea

When I went to Sew It Together in Canberra we went to the markets and looked at all manner of wonderful stuff.  I saw some cardigans with buttons sewn on; I resisted the urge to buy it as it was one of those crafts where you think to yourself 'I could do that'.  Most of the time I never get around to actually doing it so I was very impressed with my efforts this time round!

These two cardigans cost me $50 for the pair from Cotton On.  They are a great fit and between the black and the grey I can always find a match for whatever dress or skirt I happen to be wearing.

I did these last year while the Olympics was on, it is a great example that sometimes simple is best and that you don't have to be an expert create something nice.  For some reason I never got around to blogging them but given my lack of finished projects of late I thought I would pop these up now.  Better late than never!

Ending 2012 on a High Note

Anyone who reads (or used to) my blog will know things have been REALLY quiet around here over the past few months.  I have just been so busy and that means that my craft and leisure time has suffered.

I decided I did not want to end the year in a slump.  Next year I plan to do things a little differently and I wanted to see the year in as I mean to continue.  So yesterday I pulled out a pattern, one I have made before so already had traced it off in my size.  Then I made a start while chatting to some friends on Facebook in what became a virtual sew-along.

I made the Anna Maria Socialite Dress.  I have made this before a couple of times; the first attempt was too small even thought I did measure and the second attempt fit well but the fabric was a bit heavy and it did not sit well on me.

This time I am really happy with it.  This is a size medium and once again I left out the pockets, I prefer the line of the dress without the pockets.  I made a belt too as I tend to look like I am wearing a sack if I don't wear one.

I think 2013 is looking up!

For awhile I thought the only thing I would have to show off as a finished WIP was the children's library bags.  Possum starts school next year and needed one; naturally this meant Blue needed to have one as well.

I appliqued some circles from feature fabrics they each picked, on the other side using one of the fabrics shown I put their initials.  I am really happy with these, so are the children.  Bonus!

Happy New Year :)

Tillytom ~ Tilda Sash Skirt

I forgot to blog the wonderful Tillytom Tilda Sash Skirt I was lucky enough to test the pattern for awhile ago.  Yes, that is right, a pattern!  You can buy it and make as many of these simple and adorable skirts as you like yourself.

Possum loves hers and the pattern was well written making it a quick and enjoyable sewing experience so I love it as well.  The pattern is for size 1 to size 8 so it is good value if you have a little girl to sew for.

Happy Sewing!

Softie Making

Ever since Amy gifted me the Badskirt 'Moxie the Doxie' sausage dog pattern I have had plans to make a couple.  The only problem with this plan is that my 'couple' got pinched before they were even finished and have been off having adventures with the children ever since.  That meant I had to make a couple more.

Shame I ran out of hobby fill as I would love to have these all finished.  I have also lost my button jar.  A house search has not turned it up so I have to buy more hobby fill, and buttons.

Gosh they are cute (even without legs).

{thirteen} creative space

I picked up this tea towel in an op shop the other day.  I think I will turn it into a bag like the Dubbo Zoo tea towel below.  Curly Pops has a tutorial if you want to sew one yourself.

They make great shoe bags when you travel, and might even be useful if you get lost in Dubbo while at the zoo.  I have a Timbertown bag somewhere, but I can't find it which is annoying.  If you are lost at Timbertown, don't call me...

More creative spaces here.  More Blogtoberfest fun here.

Two memes, one stone!

{Eleven} SIT - Prints Charming Skirt

Back in March I went to Sew it Together in Sydney. As part of the fun we visited Prints Charming and went shopping and stitching.  Everyone bought a scrap pack (or two) and a sew-along was born thanks to Karen.

my scrap pack laid out

I bought the Sew What! Skirts book and drafted my first paper pattern to suit my measurements.  Great book and I learnt a lot in just this one project so am looking forward to trying a few of the other styles mentioned.

I finished the skirt awhile ago, but as is typical I only just got around to hemming it when I decided I should wear it to Church on the weekend.  I backed it in plain stretch denim I bought while in Sydney too.  I wasn't sure about the stretch element but it does sit nicely and feel good.

I need to add a couple of darts to the back to get it to sit better, but all in all I am VERY happy with how this turned out.  I might look into a less bright scrap pack to make another of these skirts at some stage.

Cupcake Dress

Because as soon as I confessed to sewing failure I had the urge to sew!

This is the cupcake dress from the Make it Perfect book.

The pattern was simple and very quick.  Even better is knowing that for the first time I used my new overlocker to finish all the seams properly so I know this dress is well made.  I have not had much of a play with the overlocker yet so it was fun (and a bit frightening!) to use it for proper sewing.

A great way to dress up a cheap t-shirt into a comfy and stylish girls dress.  I will make this again!

Hope

Hope softies have been posted this morning.  I wish I had done a better job painting their little faces, new brushes are on my shopping list.  I am sure someone will love them anyway.

The pattern I used was for the Black Apple doll.  This is why we call them all 'Miss Apples'.

New Look 6504

I am sure New Look 6504 did not mean for the terms interfacing, pin and iron to be optional...

But this VERY quick dress for Possum is a great dress for playing about the yard.  I used buttons and remnant fabric from the stash too.

For some reason not only did I fail to add interfacing, pin, or iron, I also got up to instruction 2 and decided to just do my own thing.  I should be happy it worked at all given the amount of things I did wrong.

I will make more of these simple dresses, and next time I will slow down and do it properly to see if it makes a difference to the end result.

Simple Sewing

Because one must ease into the crafty year slowly, I decided to start with a simple skirt.

Once a tablecloth just the right size for a card table, it was a simple matter cutting it in half, sewing it up along the short edge side seams and adding elastic.  No need to hem because it was already the right length for Possum.

Note the dirty white shirt, or rather,  please don't note the dirty white shirt...

Christmas Clothes and Kids Swap

Awhile ago I posted about what Possum received in the Kids Craft Swap.  Yesterday's post contained Blue's swap package and he now has some fun 'special mail' too.

A wooden car he is playing with as I type.  Some iron on transfers which I need to buy some new tees for and some frog stickers.  I am excited about trying out the transfers, I have never used them before! 

Thanks Marie :)

Yesterday I blogged the Santa Photo.  This is the dress I made that Possum is wearing.

It is the Make it Perfect Pinny #1 which is the same pattern I used the year before.  I love that it lets me use a variety of fabrics.  Once again I modified it by adding buttons to the straps instead of leaving them as ties.

I didn't make Blue new shorts as last years still fit him.  I feel a tad guilty so might make him a new pair in time for Christmas Day.



In Short.

Six pairs of Make it Perfect Little Explorer Shorts off the machine this week.  All made from gifted/op-shopped/Remnant bits of material and all great shorts for the summer play months ahead.

I modified the pattern by extending the length to leave out the contrast fabric band, and leaving off the pocket. I decided yard clothes didn't need the extra touches.

We also posted off our crafty packages for the Kids Christmas Swap :)

In short, we have been busy.